Sliema W.-Marsaxlokk 0-0
Sliema W. M. Camilleri, A. Muscat, M. DiLello, B. Said, D. Debono (J. Chetcuti), N. Turner, D. Doncic (J. Brincat), R. Bajada, I. Woods, S. Giglio, D. Bogdanovic.
Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Carabott, M. Licari, C. Magro, S. Wellman (M. Caruana), N. Dos Santos Gomes, T. Templeman, S. Bajada, C. Nwoko, A. Schembri, W. Soares Gomes.
Referee: M. Borg Asst refs: I. Spiteri, C. Micallef 4th official J. Attard
Yellow cards: T. Templeman, D. Debono, M. DiLello, A. Schembri, C. Nwoko
Player of the match: S. Giglio
TMI Top 3: 1. S. Giglio; 2. S. Wellman; 3. I. Woods
Sliema Wanderers missed the chance to join Birkirkara at the top of the standings yesterday when they were held to a goalless draw by a heavily depleted Marsaxlokk side.
This result means that Sliema are now two points adrift of leaders Birkirkara, while Marsaxlokk remain in fourth place on 31 points, six adrift of the Stripes. Hibs have a match in hand and will have the chance to join Birkirkara on top if they beat Valletta on Saturday.
While Sliema had regular Nigerian goalie Murphy Akanji missing as he is abroad, Marsaxlokk paraded former Birkirkara striker Chucks Nwoko who finally joined their ranks yesterday. But they had Paiber, Frendo, Carlo Mamo, Jamie Pace, Kevin Sammut and Kevin Mamo missing through injury or suspension.
The first half was keenly contested and although Sliema appeared to have seen more of the ball, Marsaxlokk were dangerous in their counter-attacks.
Chucks Nwoko, making a surprise debut after his loan transfer in the morning, proved to be a menace, but the side lacked the inventive of the suspended Cleaven Frendo.
Sliema, on their part, appeared to be stronger in midfield, where Roderick Bajada, Giglio and Turner definitely held the edge.
In the second half, Sliema took control of midfield and pressed to get in front, but Marsaxlokk held on so well that goalie Gauci was never tested seriously.
Even at the other end, goalie Camilleri had an easy night with Andre Schembri and Nwoko well under the control of Sliema’s defence.
The depleted southern seasiders had a fiery opening to the game. Soon after the start, Andre Schembri had an angled shot hitting the upright.
On 11 minutes, Marsaxlokk were again unlucky when off a Wellman freekick, Chucks Nwoko’s back header hit the crossbar with Camilleri beaten.
Sliema’s first action arrived on 14 minutes, a low Ivan Woods effort blocked on deck by Reuben Gauci.
Six minutes later, Giglio set Bogdanovic on the left. The latter advanced to beat his direct opponent, only to see his fine shot hitting the upright. Soon after, the same Bogdanovic hit wide from an ideal scoring position.
Roderick Bajada should have been cautioned when in a dangerous Marsaxlokk counter-attack launched by Andre Schembri, he appeared to have been injured seriously, lyong on the ground at the other end. Instead, when Schembri threw the ball away sportingly, Bajada quickly rose to his feet to continue playing! A clear case of lack of sportsmanship.
On 52 minutes, Marsaxlokk threatened through Andre Schembri who just failed to connect to a Shaun Bajada low cross in front of Camilleri.
At the other end, from a Bogdanovic freekick, Stefan Giglio’s header went wide.
Marsaxlokk were again unlucky on 67 minutes when off a Bajada freekick, Gomes had his header hitting the crossbar.
With three minutes to go, Sliema missed what probably was the best opportunity when off a Woods cross, Giglio lifted the ball over the bar from three metres.
Before the end a long distance shot from Alex Muscat sailed harmlessly over the Marsaxlokk post.